Making a Biodegradable Plastic Using Starch
eXPRESS Polymer Letters Vol.3, No.6 (2009) 366–375
Available online at www.expresspolymlett.com DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2009.46
Starch-based completely biodegradable polymer materials
D. R. Lu, C. M. Xiao*, S. J. Xu
College of Material Science and Engineering of Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, 362021, P. R. China Received 21 February 2009; accepted in revised form 30 March 2009
Abstract. Starch is a natural polymer which possesses many unique properties and some shortcoming simultaneously. Some synthetic polymers are biodegradable and can be tailor-made easily. Therefore, by combining the individual advantages of starch and synthetic polymers, starch-based completely biodegradable polymers (SCBP) are potential for applications in biomedical and environmental fields. Therefore it received great attention and was extensively investigated. In this paper, the structure and characteristics of starch and some synthetic degradable polymers are briefly introduced. Then, the recent progress about the preparation of SCBP via physical blending and chemical modification is reviewed and discussed. At last, some examples have been presented to elucidate that SCBP are promising materials for various applications and their development is a good solution for reducing the consumption of petroleum resources and environmental problem. Keyword: biodegradable polymers, starch, biopolymer, preparation, application
1. Introduction
As well known, synthetic polymer materials have been widely used in every field of human activity [1] during last decades, i.e. post-Staudinger times. These artificial macromolecular substances are usually originating from petroleum and most of the conventional ones are regarded as non-degradable. However, the petroleum resources are limited and the blooming use of non-biodegradable polymers has caused serious environmental problems. In addition, the non-biodegradable polymers are not suitable for temporary use such as sutures. Thus, the
Available online at www.expresspolymlett.com DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2009.46
Starch-based completely biodegradable polymer materials
D. R. Lu, C. M. Xiao*, S. J. Xu
College of Material Science and Engineering of Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, 362021, P. R. China Received 21 February 2009; accepted in revised form 30 March 2009
Abstract. Starch is a natural polymer which possesses many unique properties and some shortcoming simultaneously. Some synthetic polymers are biodegradable and can be tailor-made easily. Therefore, by combining the individual advantages of starch and synthetic polymers, starch-based completely biodegradable polymers (SCBP) are potential for applications in biomedical and environmental fields. Therefore it received great attention and was extensively investigated. In this paper, the structure and characteristics of starch and some synthetic degradable polymers are briefly introduced. Then, the recent progress about the preparation of SCBP via physical blending and chemical modification is reviewed and discussed. At last, some examples have been presented to elucidate that SCBP are promising materials for various applications and their development is a good solution for reducing the consumption of petroleum resources and environmental problem. Keyword: biodegradable polymers, starch, biopolymer, preparation, application
1. Introduction
As well known, synthetic polymer materials have been widely used in every field of human activity [1] during last decades, i.e. post-Staudinger times. These artificial macromolecular substances are usually originating from petroleum and most of the conventional ones are regarded as non-degradable. However, the petroleum resources are limited and the blooming use of non-biodegradable polymers has caused serious environmental problems. In addition, the non-biodegradable polymers are not suitable for temporary use such as sutures. Thus, the
References: Lu et al. – eXPRESS Polymer Letters Vol.3, No.6 (2009) 366–375 [70] Kumbar S